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Revision as of 05:03, 4 August 2006 by SwitChar (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Big Boys were a pioneering band who are credited with helping introduce the new style of hardcore punk that became popular in the 1980s.
Based in Austin, Texas the band members were Randy 'Biscuit' Turner on vocals, Tim Kerr on guitar and Chris Gates on bass. Over the years the group played with four drummers in all; Steve Collier, Greg Murray, Fred Shultz and Rey Washam. The hardcore punk style, a development from the earlier punk sound, arose spontaneously in various cities but in Austin it was represented by MDC, Big Boys and The Dicks. The bands often played with each other, and Big Boys and The Dicks released a split single and an LP, Live At Raul's, together. Big Boys shows were legendary, frequently involving food fights, 'Biscuit' in a tutu or dress, and invitations to the audience to come up and sing along, which often occurred. At the end of early shows the band was famous for yelling, "OK y'all, go start your own band". The Big Boys are credited as well with the introduction of funk rhythms to hardcore, producing funkcore, an innovation influential on later bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers. They were also involved in the skatepunk scene, featured in Thrasher skateboarding magazine and videos, and had their own Big Boys skateboard. After a Bad Brains show in Austin that ended badly and controversy involving Biscuit (and later inspired the song "Pay to Come Along" by MDC) conflicts began to arise within the band, specificly between Biscuit And Chris. Chris convinced Tim Kerr to leave the Big Boys and form Poison 13, the Big Boys played their last show very unexpectedly. Biscuit and Chris never spoke to each other again.
Tim Kerr went on to play with many bands, including Poison 13 and, in 2004, The Total Sound Group. Chris Gates was also with Poison 13 and Junkyard but his last outfit was Charles Bulldog. Of their drummers, Rey Washam has played consistently with such groups as Jerry's Kids, Scratch Acid, and Ministry. Randy Turner has performed with The Slurpees, Cargo Cult, and Swine King, the latter band contributing the song "All Broke Down" to Outpunk Records' Outpunk Dance Party compilation. In 2004 the queercore band Limp Wrist released the song "Ode", a homage to Randy 'Biscuit' Turner and Gary Floyd of The Dicks and, as well, Joshua Plague of Mukilteo Fairies as inspirational openly gay men in the hardcore punk scene. Big Boys were innovative in many ways and were influential in the direction music and music scenes would take in their wake. Randy Turner was found dead from Hepatitis C complications in his home on August 18, 2005.
Singles
- Frat Cars 7" single (1980) on Big Boys Records
- Wipe Out/ I'm Sorry Fear and Loathing fanzine promo 7"
- Recorded Live At Raul's Club a double 7" split with The Dicks (1980) on Selfless Records
- Fun Fun Fun 12" EP (1982) on Moment Productions
Albums
- Live At Raul's split LP with The Dicks (1980) on Rat Race (1981)
- Where's My Towel/Industry Standard on Wasted Talent (1981)
- Lullabies Help The Brain Grow on Moment Productions (1983)
- No Matter How Long The Line At The Cafeteria, There's Always A Seat on Enigma (1984)